Insurance Companies in Germany Pay Record High for Lightning Damages in 2024
According to the annual report of the German Insurance Association (GDV), the country’s insurance companies paid a record high of approximately 350 million euros for lightning and overvoltage damage in 2024. This marks the highest amount paid in over two decades, said Jörg Asmussen, the GDV’s chief executive officer.
In the past year, a total of around 220,000 lightning and overvoltage damage claims were reported, translating to a new record of one lightning strike every 2.5 minutes, on average. The average cost of each damage claim increased by 200 euros to 1,600 euros, compared to the previous year, Asmussen noted.
Typical lightning damage includes damaged roof tiles, overvoltage damage to electrical outlets and damage to computer and phone systems. The GDV also reported that damage to heating systems and other household equipment is common.
Data from the VdS Schadenverhütung, a subsidiary of the GDV, revealed that Germany saw a total of nearly 210,000 lightning strikes in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year. The majority of these strikes, around 62,000, occurred in June, while the fewest, around 106, occurred in February.
Summer is the peak season for thunderstorms, as the high humidity and heat create the perfect conditions for storm clouds to form, the GDV explained.
Homeowners’ insurance covers damage to fixed installations such as heating systems, while the contents of a home, including electronic devices, are covered by household insurance. The GDV also noted that the cost of damage is increasing due to the rising value of homes and the use of more advanced and expensive technology.